Attitudes About Police Project

A research project funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada is being led by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services. We are conducting surveys to collect a wide range of attitudes, feelings, or experiences that people living with a mental illness have about the police. If you are at least 19 years of age, can speak and understand English, and are living with a severe mental illness (such as schizophrenia spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder, or bipolar disorder) we invite you to participate in this study. If you have or have not had direct contact with the police you are invited to complete a 30 minute survey. You will receive your choice of a $5 Starbucks or Tim Hortons gift card for participating. Click here for the project poster.

If you would like to participate in this project, we are pleased to be able to you complete the Survey online, or by pen and paper, or over the phone. To get more information, or to request a survey, simply email Caroline at cgreaves@forensic.bc.ca, or leave a message on our secure project line at 604-524-7768.

2010 Schizophrenia Conference- Complete for another year!

13th VICTORIA and 8th VANCOUVER ISLAND SCHIZOPHRENIA CONFERENCE
Providing Mental Health Care in the Current Climate

Friday, November 26th, 2010
8:30 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Overall Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the interconnectedness of forensic and civil psychiatric populations
2. To explore the importance of partnerships and leadership values in supporting employment in these populations
3. To discuss the value of early psychosis intervention for the individual, and for the system

Keynote Speaker Learning Objectives:

Dr. Johann Brink: “Developing a strength based model of care for forensic and civil psychiatric populations”
Dr. Brink MB ChB BA Hons FCPsych(SA) FRCPC, Director, Clinical Services & Scientific Director, Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission, BC Mental Health and Addiction Services
–          To have an understanding of the structure and functions of Forensic Psychiatric Services in BC populations
–          To be aware of the overlap in clinical and risk characteristics of forensic and civil psychiatric risks in forensic and civil psychiatric settings
–          To have a working knowledge of START – a strength based assessment measure for multiple

Leigh Thomson “Growing Employment Services in these tough economic times”
Team Leader, Employment Services CMHA, Burnaby, BC
–          To discuss effective approaches and planning from a systems perspective
risks in forensic and civil psychiatric settings
–          To review how to establish leadership values at the agency level
–          To understand how our practice can maintain high employment outcomes
–          To explore how partnerships support employment in these economic times

Dr. Rex Bowering: “Early Psychosis Intervention: Changes in a Time of Transition”
Dr. Bowering MD, FRCPC Child and Youth Psychiatrist, VIHA Division Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
–           To explore the value of early recognition of potential psychotic disorders
–           To review signs and symptoms and prospective implications

Please follow the link for the brochure: 2010 Schizophrenia Conference Brochure

 

Help Bring Borderline Personality Disorder Into the Light!

Borderline Personality Disorder
FACT:
• The term “borderline” imparts no relevant information about the diagnosis
• It was developed in the early 1900’s when a psychiatrist realized that BPD did not fit into the oversimplified way of categorizing mental illness at the time -either as neurotic or psychotic.
• BPD was thought to be on the “borderline”.
• There is currently a move to have the name changed to something similar to Emotional Processing Disorder, Emotional Regulation Disorder or Emotional Intensity Disorder
Help Bring Borderline Personality Disorder Into the Light!
Read an article by Elizabeth Bogod, Community Mental Health Worker In recovery from BPD titled What’s in a name? Borderline Personality Disorder Label Creates Stigma



Sign the Online Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/%201/Advocacy-for-Borderline-Personality-Disorder

Youthspace.ca has returned!

Fantastic news from Need2:


What is YouthSpace.ca?
          
  Youthspace.ca has been serving the Greater Victoria area since 2008 but earlier this year, due to drastic funding cuts, we had to suspend some services and reduce others.  We’ve managed to secure a little bit of funding (but will need more to continue past June 30th), so, in addition to the (safe and moderated) discussion forum and a connection to e-counselling, we’re also able to offer live chat support four nights per week – Thursday to Sunday from 5:00pm to 11:00pm.
Young people come to the site for a variety of reasons… for example, relationship break-ups, family struggles, bullying issues, school/work pressures, suicidal feelings, questions about sexuality, concerns about self-harming behaviour, among other concerns.  www.Youthspace.ca is a safe place for youth to connect, get help, and discover resources.
     Youthspace.ca is an online service which extends preventative mental health support to youth across Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (and beyond). By accessing the www.youthspace.ca website, youth can reach out anonymously to professionally trained volunteers using private one-to-one chat via any computer. Volunteers are able to offer supportive listening, conduct risk assessments and safety plans, and connect youth to other resources in the community.

· Youth can also participate in a peer-to-peer support forum where they can post and reply to each other at any time of the day on topics ranging from relationships to self-harm and suicide.  Volunteers also reply to these posts and offer the same level of support offered via chat. Staff moderate these forums to ensure posts are appropriate and that the space if kept safe for all who participate. 

· Youth have the option to reach out by e-mail to child and youth counsellors at Pacific Centre Family Services Association. Counsellors there are prepared to respond by e-mail to youth with ongoing support, information, and provide the option to meet for face-to-face counselling.

· Youthspace.ca offers an online resource database of youth programs and services for Greater Victoria thanks to a partnership with Youthcore. The Youthcore database is updated by service providers on an ongoing basis to ensure the most up-to-date information is available in a search friendly manner.

·  Questions? Concerns? Suggestions? Fundraising ideas?  Please let them, know! support@youthspace.ca 



CMHA is thrilled to hear this great news!